Video Games

There’s a new hot version of the xBox 360 coming out! The new xBox 360 Elite Edition is essentially the same , but sold in limited quantities and all black finish. It will cost $479 with 120GB hard disk and HDMI. There is also speculation that the cooler-running Elite editions are made with 65nm chips.

Not only is Nintendo set to release a new color of their DS Lite portable, the “Jet Black”, on September 2, but they also have developed a “DS microphone/earpiece combination” that is due out on September 14.  Estimated prices are about $10 USD, and rumor has it that this new piece of hardware will be compatable with the upcoming Pokemon Diamond/Pearl.

Quite recently, Microsoft released the official hardware configuration requirements of their Windows Vista OS (Operating System).  The demands are not unreasonable: a mere 800MHz CPU with 512MB of RAM is considered a “Capable” Vista system, and a 1GHz CPU with 1024MB of RAM is considered a “Premium” Vista system.  However, both the “Capable” and the “Premium” system configurations require a DirectX 9-compatible graphics card.  Other suggested hardware is a 40GB hard drive and DVD capability.

Joystiq advises: “If these specs leave you questioning your PC’s prowess, you can download Microsoft’s Vista Upgrade Advisor, which will help you determine the amount of bells and whistles your current system will support. The real question is, will Vista be gaming-ready? Stay tuned for more details on how the latest Vista beta runs today’s games.”

Xbox Live is soon going to feature video chat through Microsoft’s new gadget, the Xbox Live Vision Cam (XLV), which is available in stores September 19th.  Furthermore, users will be able to personalize their account by having gamertag pictures, and even send pictures to other users.  No price has been announced, but it’s safe to assume that it will be comparable to the price of a regular Xbox 360 controller.

Like a child’s nightmare gone wrong, Nintendo has issued a release on their Nintendo Revolution subdomain declaring that their new next-generation console will in fact be named Wii, pronounced “Whee.” Unprofessionally, http://wii.nintendo.com/ doesn’t work yet. The press release reads:

Introducing … Wii. As in “we.”

While the code-name “Revolution” expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else. Wii will put people more in touch with their games … and each other.

But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean? Wii sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii. Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play. And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.

So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you. Because, it’s really not about you or me. It’s about Wii. And together, Wii will change everything.

Nintendo’s clever attempts to rebrand the first-person plural pronoun “we” have failed, for a number of reasons:

1. The word “Wii” looks close to “WWII.” Subconscious connotations with World War II will not sell video games to families. Heil Nintendo?
2. Using “Wii” with the verb “play” presents problems. Imagine children asking, “Want to come over and play with my wii?” The sexual connotations will become confused.

Their temporary logo, for those interested, looks like this:

As it’s completely lame–just a sans-serif font with “wii” on it–Nintendo will hopefully come out with something more colorful.